[Malignant Neuroleptic Syndrome during tiapride treatment]

Tiapride, a benzamide compound, is a neuroleptic drug used in the treatment of some behavior troubles, especially in the alcohol withdrawal syndrome. We report a new case of malignant neuroleptic syndrome during a tiapride treatment in a 39 year-old alcoholic patient who had been admitted after a minor trauma. Symptoms were typical, with malignant hyperthermia in the absence of sepsis, coma, extrapyramidal syndrome, rhabdomyolysis, and severe metabolic acidosis. Dantrolene succeeded to reverse hyperthermia and rigidity; probably due to its delayed administration however, irreversible acidosis led to the patient's demise.